Noah is 9

We had a small family party and invited Noah's best bud Ricardo and his sister Virginia.
We swam, played water polo, ate pizza and chocolate on chocolate cake--Noah's favorite!

Noah is growing into a very nice young man--which makes make my heart
so happy.
If you knew him as a toddler you would understand my happiness.

He is a wonderful brother--he knows how to make the girls happy, he can trick them out of their fits, and he worries about their safety. He loves to feel his new sister kick.
Noah is a good student. He is neurotic about being on time to school--which is good since that is definitely not my forte. Right now he is reading the first Harry Potter book and together we are reading the Chronicles of Narnia.

Some of his favorite things: Pokemon cards, Star Wars legos, Wii Punchout, his red bike, and silly bandz collection. He also loves playing ultimate frisbee.

Happy, happy Birthday to my favorite boy!

The count down is on

Coming home from the Bascom Palmer Welcome Party

We officially have less than a year til we are done.
Yes done. Did I really say this.
We have been in school/training for the last 12 years.
In July 2011 David will be a Real doctor.
For the last 5 years he has tried to trick me and tell me he was already a Real doctor.
The white coat and embroidered name was a really nice touch.
It has been a long, long road.
Finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel is a very beautiful thing.
Congrats, hon, on all your hard work.

You know you're a loud mouth when...

you have to wear ear plugs to muffle your own scream.

Our trip to Philly

Ella Joy and I took a trip to Philadelphia for Shelly and Rob's engagement party.
It was so much fun to get to spend some one on one time with EJ--she would have made a great only child. She loved the airplane ride. She was glued to the window expressing with enthusiasm how awesome her view was. "This is amazing!" This is beautiful!" over and over again. Despite the fact that she was almost shouting--I let her completely enjoy it.

Shelly and Rob arrived to the party via heli.

The newly engaged sooner to be married couple.

Shey Shey and EJ looking beautiful

EJ took over the camera several times throughout the trip.
This is from her point of view.


EJ's new friend.


On Saturday we visited Valley Forge. We heard some interesting stories and visited some of the old barracks as well as Big George's quarters.

How would you have liked to bunk here for 6 months?

General Washington's quarters.


Shelly, Rob, and their part cheetah cat--Yoda.

Alyssa--KiKi and Shey Shey's NYC bff

KiKi p0sing for another one of EJ's photos

We arrived home at midnight on Saturday.
David picked us up at the airport.
Ella Joy was exhuasted.
This little guy was sitting on my bike seat waiting for me when I got home.
What a nice welcome home.

How do you travel?

These girls have done a lot of traveling this summer.
They have become pros and sleeping in the car--just find a comfortable position and they are out.
And as long as they are not screaming, I'm happy driving.

Old friends

We drove to the middle--half way between Columbia and Winston-Salem to meet up with friends from NC. It was so good to see Emma, Becky, and Kristen. We continue to multiply and the task of getting all 8 children to sit for a picture was no easy task. But we did accomplish.

It was great to see you all!
Thanks for making the trip!

Another Girl!!!

Today we found out that we are having another girl!

I was surprised and I'm so excited.

I guessed right with the other 3 but was truly surprised with this one.

I think it will be fun to have 3 girls so close together.

I'm imagining a big pink room with 3 beds lined up, a closet of clothes divided by ages that they just continually rotate through.

Noah and David were really hoping for another boy

which only means one thing....